On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you find yourself with a few minutes to spare and the time to contemplate your surroundings. Carrying a cool glass of water and wearing your most comfortable sandals, you retreat to your back porch and take a moment to sit and admire the scene.

As you comfortably sit in your lounge chair and listen to the birds, you feel the breeze brush your skin, and little by little you allow yourself to take deeper breaths and release any and all things that were burdening you just moments before.

After a few minutes, you “wake up” from this conscious vacation to discover that more than ten minutes have passed and you were not even aware of the ticking of time; let alone your removed mental state. While this scene may not seem unfamiliar to you, the name for what you experienced during that time may surprise you.

This experience was the act of being in a meditative state.

Stereotypical barriers.

Due to popular media avenues such as film and television, the act of meditation has long been associated with distant lands and individuals living in seclusion and with minimal material possessions. These ‘characters’ are portrayed as people who sit for hours, their eyes closed, their beards overgrown, and most often, speaking in riddles. And while the media has successfully implanted these images, the word itself usually triggers thoughts of devoted Yogis, monks, and other religiously affiliated personalities. And yet, every day, to some degree, average people engage in private meditation; breaking the stereotype of what meditation should look like.

What is meditation?

Rob Nairn, author of “What is Mediation” (Shambhala Publications, 1999), defines meditation as a state of “bare attention”, he goes on to explain that while in meditation, a person remains “present” and aware; neither adding nor subtracting to the experience. The individual takes a moment to exist and experience the moment without placing thoughts or judgments on that which may be happening around them.

On a scientific level, meditation increases the emission of alpha state brainwaves which bring about feelings of relaxation. Alpha brainwaves are similar to the feeling one could experience while in the midst of a daydream. It is no wonder that those who meditate claim to experience a decrease in anxiety and depression.

How do you meditate?

The manner in which an individual meditates depends on personal preference. To assist in the development of this preference, a number of tools and practices are available to assist in reaching the coveted relaxation and alpha state.

The easiest avenue and method of meditation is to allow your mind to wander freely while contemplating a beautiful scene, listening to calming music, or hearing uninterrupted nature-focused recordings. Sitting in a quiet space that is free from distractions offers a great start to this process.

For those that have difficulty relaxing in silence, or are unable to cease their mind from thoughts, guided meditations, such as Serenity (available from http://meditationsolution.com ) provide an audio guide that incorporates sounds, visual instruction, and the utilization of binaural beats to assist and enhance the meditative experience.

What are binaural beats and how do they help in meditation?

Binaural beats were discovered by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove in 1839, and provided insight into how the brain ‘hears’ and focuses on sounds. By bringing both parts of the brain to focus on the binaural beat, the consciousness is directed towards the sound and not the extraneous environmental occurrences. Further, by utilizing binaural beats in guided meditations, such as the Serenity meditation CD, listeners are aided in reaching an alpha state within a shorter period of time and to experience the slow moving delta state (the state experienced during dreamless sleep).

For a free sample of the far-reaching effects of binaural beats in a guided meditation, visit (http://www.hypnoticyogi.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=21&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=28 ) and download Meditation Solutions’ Serenity meditation CD.

What are some of the benefits of meditation?

In an article published by Psychology Today Magazine (The Science of Meditation; May/June 2001), it states that some of the findings involving the benefits of meditation include:

· Aids in the reversal of heart disease.

· Reduction in pain and enhancement of the body’s immune system.

· Reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression.

· Aids in anger management.

· Encourages self-reflection.

· Assists in creating more loving approach to relationships and life as a whole.

· Aids in positive outlook and potentiality.

These are just a few of the numerous benefits that meditation can offer you in your day-to-day.

Putting it all into to practice.

In conclusion, it’s time to retire the media-generated stereotypes on meditation. Having a better understanding of what a meditative state is and how you can attain and enhance your life by way of utilizing simple tools and your surroundings could not only bring you an inner balance, but also extend your life experience.

For more information, and to download or purchase the Serenity Meditation CD, please visit our site at: http://meditationsolution.com.